R.I.P. Master Sgt. Mark W. Coleman

Army Master Sgt. Mark W. Coleman
Died May 02, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom

40, of Centerville, Wash.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died May 2 at Khakrez, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

(The following was taken from www.yelmonline.com of May 6, 2010) The Department of Defense on Thursday announced the death of Master Sgt. Mark W. Coleman, 40, of Yelm.

Coleman died May 2 at Khakrez, Afghanistan of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Coleman and his wife, Barbie Coleman, have lived in Yelm for the past two years with their children Jessica, 15, and Brett, 20. Brett is also in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Richardson in Alaska.

Coleman grew up in Centerville near Goldendale, Wash. His parents and other family members still live there.

He joined the Army right after graduating from Goldendale High School in 1988. Though he was eligible for full retirement in 2008, Coleman re-enlisted for five years.

His family is arranging a public memorial 2 p.m. May 15 in Goldendale.